Method of preparing metallic alloys and of refining metals and alloys



June 12, 1923.

H. C. HALL METHOD OF PREPARING METALLIC ALLOYS AND OF REFINING METALS AND ALLOYS Filed Feb. 18. 1921 I [amen/0r:

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METHQJD @E PREPARING METALLIC ALLOYS AND OF REFINING METALS A Application filed February 18, rear. Serial no. merit.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that l, Honacn' CAMPBELL HALL, of Derby, England, have invented a certain new and useful Improved Method of Pre aring Metallic Alloys and of Refining lhetals and Alloys, of which the following is a specification.

This invention comprises an improved method of making metal alloys and of refining metals and alloys, more particularly umful where itis desired to add to a molten bath of the main constituent one or more ingredients of other metals (hereinafter referred to as the additive metals) which, although some of them may be of less specific gravity, are together of greater speclfic ravity than that of the main constituent. t is the common practice to cast the additive metals in convenient sized lumps and to throw such castings into the molten bath of the main constituent. When this method is adopted there is a tendency forsome oxidation of such of the additive metals as are of less specific gravity than the main constituent the bath, due to such metals floating thereon and for the additive metals throughout the main constituent.

According to this invention the additive metals are introduced into the molten bath of the main constituent in a granulated and oil-coated condition.

As an example in making an alloy of aluminium, zinc and magnesium there may be melted together 60 parts of aluminium and 30 parts of zinc whereupon there is dis- .solved therein 10 parts of magnesium, the resultant alloy bein introduced as additive minium or other metal.

To bring the additive metals to the granulated and oil-coated condition required, they are melted together under charcoal or suitable flux or both in a manner well known, and then poured into a vessel containing oil. The vessel and oil are preferably of such size and quantity respectively in relation to the quantity of additive metals that the metal is cooled by the time it has fallen to the bottom of the vessel. To this end there may be arrangedwithin the vessel containing the oil a horizontally placed metal roller rotatin on its axis, the lower art of which is in e oil, the molten meta being caused to fall on to this roller which is furthen granulated and to a bath of alunot to be evenly didnsed oxidation at the surface above nished, if necessa with a scraper to pre= vent any metal a hering to its risin surface. A series of such rollers ma arranged so that'the metal will fa or flow from one onto another. By means ohrollers as above described the metal can be spread out in its descent, and caused to be more evenly dispersed throu bout the oil.

The accompanyin' of apparatus for e' ecting t e granulation. a is a tank containin oil, I) is a steel roller actuated by the handle 6 c is a pot from which the metal is poured, d is a tray to receive granulated metal having vertical end members al and handles 0? to enable the tray with the metal to be lifmd from the tanlr. e is a scraper attached to one of the end members al scraping an adhering metal from the surface of the rol er emerging from the oil. 6 is an overflow for oil iromthe tank a. v

The additive metals are by the means above described brought into a granulated condition with the granules coated with oil, the mass being frequently in a spongy condition. I

Moreover, due to its sudden cooling'a certain amount of heat energy is entrapped in the metal, leaving it in a strained condition analogous to that obtaining in the case oil- Ruperts drops these being termed, as is well known, by droppin molten glass into water. A less amount o heat energy is required to return the metal to its melting point.

The effect of the above treatment is that when the additive metals are introduced into the bath of the main constituent a general and even diffusion of them, or a better difr fusion than by methods hitherto in vogue, h

is attained; and further the tendency to referred to is eliminated or diminished.

This invention is useful not only for the purpose of altering the nature and qualities of the main constituent, for example to harden or alloy, but a so, when the addition or the ad ditive metals is made, for the purpose otv cleansing, refining by removing oxygen or other impurities, or for the purpose of killing.

lit is preferred to use for the pose-of this invention a pure mineral oil with a high flash point say not lower than 200? centithan erncn.

more.

rawin shows a form lid Iltld ive greater strengthto the roe or not lower than 250 eentiglrade in case where the additive metals are such are usually selected for cleansing which te melted under 700 invention and desire atent of the United 2. A method of pa'eparinfi metal alloys 16 and of iefining metals and a ys consisting in melting an additive metal or metals, poursame into an oil and introducing the neeaaeo. a

metal thus treated into a molten main constituent.

3. A method of preparin and of refining metals and alloys consisting in melting an additive metal or metals,pouring same on to a revoluble member immersed in oil and introducing the additive metal or metals thus treated'into a molten main constituent.

In witness whereof I have signed this specification in the presence of two wit IIQSSGE HORACE CAMPBELL HALL.

Witnesses:

metal alloys. 

